New Year's Eve events and what is open on New Year's Day

Victoria Park will host family programming beginning in the early evening and later-night performances with fireworks. Many retail, banking and government services are reported closed on New Year's Day, and waste collection schedules will shift by one day.

New Year's Eve gatherings in the area include both early family activities and later-night celebrations. The annual event at Victoria Park is reported to begin at 7 p.m. with children's performers, free hot chocolate and an early fireworks display at 8 p.m. A later program starting around 8:30 p.m. is reported to include food trucks, live performances and a second fireworks show at midnight. London Transit service is reported as free from 8 p.m. until the end of service on New Year's Eve, and transit will run on a holiday schedule on Jan. 1. What is scheduled: - Victoria Park: family entertainment beginning at 7 p.m., an early fireworks display at 8 p.m., later performances from about 8:30 p.m. and a midnight fireworks show. - Other venues: several city venues, including locations such as 100 Kellogg Lane, are reported to be hosting New Year's Eve events. - Transit: London Transit is reported to be free from 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve and will operate to an adjusted holiday schedule on Jan. 1; the downtown ticket office is closed on New Year's Day. - Shopping and alcohol sales: Masonville Place and White Oaks Mall are reported closed on New Year's Day; most major grocery chains and many liquor outlets are also reported closed, while some Wine Rack locations may be open. - Banking: Major banks are reported closed on New Year's Day, with branch services not available. - City services and waste collection: All government offices, including Service Ontario and city hall services, are reported closed on New Year's Day. Garbage collection is reported cancelled on Jan. 1 and shifts by one day for the first two weekdays of the new year. Summary: Events offer both early, family-friendly programming and later-night celebrations, and transit has been adjusted and reported as free on New Year's Eve to accommodate travel. On New Year's Day, many retail, banking and government services are reported closed and waste collection schedules will shift by one day.